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UConn trip advice?
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st932253 Offline
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Post: #1
UConn trip advice?
Hey guys,

Making the trip up next weekend to see UCF play at Connecticut.

Flight lands around 930 on Friday, staying at the Residence Inn downtown and leaving late Sunday.

Planning on not having a car unless convinced otherwise.

Any thoughts on things to do downtown after we arrive and on Saturday evening and on Sunday day? Noon kickoff means there should be plenty of time. Our hotel looks like its across from a brewery?

Google transit makes it look pretty easy to get from the airport to downtown and downtown to stadium pretty easy but if there are any tips there I'd appreciate that too.
10-20-2014 06:24 PM
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subflea Offline
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Post: #2
RE: UConn trip advice?
Get a car. Head down to Mohegan Sun Friday night.
10-20-2014 07:19 PM
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HuskyU Offline
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Post: #3
RE: UConn trip advice?
Hey st...let me be the first to welcome you. 04-cheers Fall in Connecticut is my favorite time of year.

First off...how are you planning to get from the airport to downtown Hartford?

IMO (I'm in my late 20s by the way), the best place to go in Hartford is actually one town over in West Hartford. That's also where I live. It's called West Hartford center/Blueback Square. There are some great restaurants and shops. It's also safe, very walkable, and tends to have a younger crowd. It's where I choose to spend my weekend nights if I'm in the area. Bar Taco, Besito, Elbow Room are usually packed.

There are some good places downtown, but I find most people my age go to West Hartford. It really is the young professional destination in central Connecticut.

https://www.facebook.com/WestHartfordCenterandTheSquare

Just my two cents...
10-20-2014 07:37 PM
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UConn-SMU Offline
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Post: #4
RE: UConn trip advice?
I left Hartford in 1986, so I don't know for sure. It depends on what you want to do. The Mohegan Sun is pretty cool - a good casino. Or Google restaurants in The Hartford area. Hartford itself is ok, but you may be in peak foliage season and getting out of the city could be nice. Eastern and Western Connecticut are beautiful (if you like hills and trees). I prefer Western Connecticut. Massachusetts and Vermont may be even better, but they're further away.

If you're into history, Mystic Seaport is pretty nice. And it's reasonably close to the Mohegan Sun.

Whenever I go anywhere, I like to check out the school. The UConn campus is about 30 minutes east of Hartford in the woods. It's a nice campus, but I don't know if it's worth making that trip. Maybe not.

Much depends on your age ... someone in their 20's will want to do something different than someone in their 50's. I'm in my 50's, so I don't look for great party spots like I used to.

The post above this seems to have good advice.
(This post was last modified: 10-20-2014 07:49 PM by UConn-SMU.)
10-20-2014 07:45 PM
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st932253 Offline
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Post: #5
RE: UConn trip advice?
(10-20-2014 07:37 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  Hey st...let me be the first to welcome you. 04-cheers Fall in Connecticut is my favorite time of year.

First off...how are you planning to get from the airport to downtown Hartford?

IMO (I'm in my late 20s by the way), the best place to go in Hartford is actually one town over in West Hartford. That's also where I live. It's called West Hartford center/Blueback Square. There are some great restaurants and shops. It's also safe, very walkable, and tends to have a younger crowd. It's where I choose to spend my weekend nights if I'm in the area. Bar Taco, Besito, Elbow Room are usually packed.

There are some good places downtown, but I find most people my age go to West Hartford. It really is the young professional destination in central Connecticut.

https://www.facebook.com/WestHartfordCenterandTheSquare

Just my two cents...

CT Transit for getting to/from airport seems fine. Google has it as a 17 minute car trip or a 30 minute bus ride so that seems like an obvious choice - bus must take the highway.

Thanks for the insight on West Hartford. Now that we know the kickoff time is early and we will have more time after the game, we may make it over that way for Saturday night. Will stick with the brew house in the hotel on Friday.

Friend with a car is staying with us so we may make it out and about after all.

Thanks!
10-20-2014 08:00 PM
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Hank Schrader Offline
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Post: #6
RE: UConn trip advice?
(10-20-2014 08:00 PM)st932253 Wrote:  
(10-20-2014 07:37 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  Hey st...let me be the first to welcome you. 04-cheers Fall in Connecticut is my favorite time of year.

First off...how are you planning to get from the airport to downtown Hartford?

IMO (I'm in my late 20s by the way), the best place to go in Hartford is actually one town over in West Hartford. That's also where I live. It's called West Hartford center/Blueback Square. There are some great restaurants and shops. It's also safe, very walkable, and tends to have a younger crowd. It's where I choose to spend my weekend nights if I'm in the area. Bar Taco, Besito, Elbow Room are usually packed.

There are some good places downtown, but I find most people my age go to West Hartford. It really is the young professional destination in central Connecticut.

https://www.facebook.com/WestHartfordCenterandTheSquare

Just my two cents...

CT Transit for getting to/from airport seems fine. Google has it as a 17 minute car trip or a 30 minute bus ride so that seems like an obvious choice - bus must take the highway.

Thanks for the insight on West Hartford. Now that we know the kickoff time is early and we will have more time after the game, we may make it over that way for Saturday night. Will stick with the brew house in the hotel on Friday.

Friend with a car is staying with us so we may make it out and about after all.

Thanks!

I live downtown - here's the downtown scoop.

It's a small city - you won't see a ton of people walking the streets, but there is plenty of nightlife/restaraunts. The residence inn is directly above a brewery called City Steam. There is also a comedy club in the basement. City Steam is one of the best bars in town. Across the street from your hotel is Sorella. Gourmet pizzas and itallian cuisine. The pizza is good, but does not compare with world famous New Haven style places like Frank Pepe's and Randy's Wooster St Pizza. Next to your hotel to the right is a late night NY Style Pizza joint and to the left is a restaraunt/bar called Dish. Dish is more of a happy hour/Sunday brunch type place then go out after a football game type. They have great bar food and make good drinks.

There are plenty more places around the XL center - all in walking distance from your hotel. Vaughan's, Rocking Horse Saloon, The Tavern Downtown, Black Bear, and the Russian Lady are all good places to drink a beer and watch a game. Agave, Trumbull Kitchen, Salute, Black Eyed Sally's are all great places to grab a bite to eat.

As HuskyU mentioned. West Hartford has tons and tons of places. You will need a cab to get there and back.

The Bradley X bus is the easiest thing in the world to get to and from the airport and is only a few bucks. Just make sure to check the schedule before your flight in to Hartford and know when to expect the bus.

How do you plan on getting to the game Saturday morning? I do not recommend takig CTtransit and would suggest a cab for that ride.

Let me know if you have any Downtown specific questions.
(This post was last modified: 10-21-2014 06:14 AM by Hank Schrader.)
10-21-2014 06:11 AM
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uconnwhaler Offline
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Post: #7
RE: UConn trip advice?
(10-21-2014 06:11 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  
(10-20-2014 08:00 PM)st932253 Wrote:  
(10-20-2014 07:37 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  Hey st...let me be the first to welcome you. 04-cheers Fall in Connecticut is my favorite time of year.

First off...how are you planning to get from the airport to downtown Hartford?

IMO (I'm in my late 20s by the way), the best place to go in Hartford is actually one town over in West Hartford. That's also where I live. It's called West Hartford center/Blueback Square. There are some great restaurants and shops. It's also safe, very walkable, and tends to have a younger crowd. It's where I choose to spend my weekend nights if I'm in the area. Bar Taco, Besito, Elbow Room are usually packed.

There are some good places downtown, but I find most people my age go to West Hartford. It really is the young professional destination in central Connecticut.

https://www.facebook.com/WestHartfordCenterandTheSquare

Just my two cents...

CT Transit for getting to/from airport seems fine. Google has it as a 17 minute car trip or a 30 minute bus ride so that seems like an obvious choice - bus must take the highway.

Thanks for the insight on West Hartford. Now that we know the kickoff time is early and we will have more time after the game, we may make it over that way for Saturday night. Will stick with the brew house in the hotel on Friday.

Friend with a car is staying with us so we may make it out and about after all.

Thanks!

I live downtown - here's the downtown scoop.

It's a small city - you won't see a ton of people walking the streets, but there is plenty of nightlife/restaraunts. The residence inn is directly above a brewery called City Steam. There is also a comedy club in the basement. City Steam is one of the best bars in town. Across the street from your hotel is Sorella. Gourmet pizzas and itallian cuisine. The pizza is good, but does not compare with world famous New Haven style places like Frank Pepe's and Randy's Wooster St Pizza. Next to your hotel to the right is a late night NY Style Pizza joint and to the left is a restaraunt/bar called Dish. Dish is more of a happy hour/Sunday brunch type place then go out after a football game type. They have great bar food and make good drinks.

There are plenty more places around the XL center - all in walking distance from your hotel. Vaughan's, Rocking Horse Saloon, The Tavern Downtown, Black Bear, and the Russian Lady are all good places to drink a beer and watch a game. Agave, Trumbull Kitchen, Salute, Black Eyed Sally's are all great places to grab a bite to eat.

As HuskyU mentioned. West Hartford has tons and tons of places. You will need a cab to get there and back.

The Bradley X bus is the easiest thing in the world to get to and from the airport and is only a few bucks. Just make sure to check the schedule before your flight in to Hartford and know when to expect the bus.

How do you plan on getting to the game Saturday morning? I do not recommend takig CTtransit and would suggest a cab for that ride.

Let me know if you have any Downtown specific questions.

I am downtown too and second all of that. I will add that you could also head down to the Front Street area, which is a new development that has: i) a movie theater/bar/bistro; ii) live performance space/bistro (Infinity Music Hall); iii) a seafood/ultra-lounge at night (Nixs); iv) and Ted's Montana Grill (burger joint). Otherwise, lots of dining options, clubs, etc. There are also three theaters in town with good shows. I think the Bushnell has Wicked, and there is Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks (off-broadway).

An out-of-the way idea is New Haven Saturday night. That is a great city, much better than Hartford, that has big-cities amentities. There are not inter-city buses on Saturday so you would either have to train/rent a car..it is about 40 miles south.
10-21-2014 09:12 AM
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wave97 Offline
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Post: #8
RE: UConn trip advice?
Leaf peeping in Western CT/MA, if you plan to go to Mystic for the coastal New England experience keep driving to Newport, RI - you'll be glad you did.
10-21-2014 12:15 PM
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templefan1 Offline
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Post: #9
RE: UConn trip advice?
(10-21-2014 06:11 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  
(10-20-2014 08:00 PM)st932253 Wrote:  
(10-20-2014 07:37 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  Hey st...let me be the first to welcome you. 04-cheers Fall in Connecticut is my favorite time of year.

First off...how are you planning to get from the airport to downtown Hartford?

IMO (I'm in my late 20s by the way), the best place to go in Hartford is actually one town over in West Hartford. That's also where I live. It's called West Hartford center/Blueback Square. There are some great restaurants and shops. It's also safe, very walkable, and tends to have a younger crowd. It's where I choose to spend my weekend nights if I'm in the area. Bar Taco, Besito, Elbow Room are usually packed.

There are some good places downtown, but I find most people my age go to West Hartford. It really is the young professional destination in central Connecticut.

https://www.facebook.com/WestHartfordCenterandTheSquare

Just my two cents...

CT Transit for getting to/from airport seems fine. Google has it as a 17 minute car trip or a 30 minute bus ride so that seems like an obvious choice - bus must take the highway.

Thanks for the insight on West Hartford. Now that we know the kickoff time is early and we will have more time after the game, we may make it over that way for Saturday night. Will stick with the brew house in the hotel on Friday.

Friend with a car is staying with us so we may make it out and about after all.

Thanks!

I live downtown - here's the downtown scoop.

It's a small city - you won't see a ton of people walking the streets, but there is plenty of nightlife/restaraunts. The residence inn is directly above a brewery called City Steam. There is also a comedy club in the basement. City Steam is one of the best bars in town. Across the street from your hotel is Sorella. Gourmet pizzas and itallian cuisine. The pizza is good, but does not compare with world famous New Haven style places like Frank Pepe's and Randy's Wooster St Pizza. Next to your hotel to the right is a late night NY Style Pizza joint and to the left is a restaraunt/bar called Dish. Dish is more of a happy hour/Sunday brunch type place then go out after a football game type. They have great bar food and make good drinks.

There are plenty more places around the XL center - all in walking distance from your hotel. Vaughan's, Rocking Horse Saloon, The Tavern Downtown, Black Bear, and the Russian Lady are all good places to drink a beer and watch a game. Agave, Trumbull Kitchen, Salute, Black Eyed Sally's are all great places to grab a bite to eat.

As HuskyU mentioned. West Hartford has tons and tons of places. You will need a cab to get there and back.

The Bradley X bus is the easiest thing in the world to get to and from the airport and is only a few bucks. Just make sure to check the schedule before your flight in to Hartford and know when to expect the bus.

How do you plan on getting to the game Saturday morning? I do not recommend takig CTtransit and would suggest a cab for that ride.

Let me know if you have any Downtown specific questions.

Had a burger at City Steam after Temple's win up there this year. Nice place...
10-21-2014 12:24 PM
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UConnHusky Offline
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Post: #10
RE: UConn trip advice?
Seeing as it is Halloween night that you will be downtown, there will be MORE than enough watering holes that are jamming.

Anyway, City Steam (as previous posters have said) is really nice and has great beer.

For food and live music, I love Black Eyes Sally's. It is a blues bar with Southern food and BBQ. It has a really cool vibe to it and the talent that is booked there is usually awesome.
http://blackeyedsallys.com/

The Arch Street Tavern and Infinity Music Hall are near each other. Arch Street Tavern will have live music and is a straight up bar. Infinity Music Hall is more of a concert hall than a bar space, but is great if the band is a national act that you want to see.

If you are driving from downtown Hartford to West Hartford Center/Blueback Square, drive via Farmington Avenue and stop at the Half Door on the way. Awesome beer list!
http://www.thehalfdoor.com/
10-21-2014 03:08 PM
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HartfordHusky Offline
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Post: #11
RE: UConn trip advice?
Halloween night in Downtown Hartford will have plenty of activity. Do not waste time driving out to either of the casinos. I, personally don't find them to be all that entertaining, unless I'm going for a specific show or really want to gamble. I have a feeling that Nixs down on Front St. could be pretty fun that night. The bars/clubs along Allyn St. should be packed as well. West Hartford Center will also be pretty lively. I'd recommend Downtown on Friday, because Halloween Downtown is a good time and West Hartford Center on Saturday evening.
10-21-2014 03:34 PM
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TexanMark Offline
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Post: #12
RE: UConn trip advice?
This is three years old but still pretty decent.

http://texanmarktailgate.blogspot.com/20...guide.html
10-22-2014 12:06 AM
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UConnHusky Offline
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RE: UConn trip advice?
(10-22-2014 12:06 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  This is three years old but still pretty decent.

http://texanmarktailgate.blogspot.com/20...guide.html

There is a lot of good information in there. Great write up!
04-cheers
10-22-2014 09:14 AM
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MagicKnightmare Offline
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Post: #14
RE: UConn trip advice?
I was just getting ready to post this. A group of 12 of us are all coming in for this game from all over the country. 3 from Orlando, 3 from Long Island, and 6 from DC. We are staying at the Ramada Inn East Hartford which I believe is by the stadium. We will have cars and with a noon game, we will be looking for something to do after the game, so keep the suggestions coming.
10-22-2014 09:32 AM
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HuskyU Offline
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Post: #15
RE: UConn trip advice?
(10-22-2014 09:14 AM)UConnHusky Wrote:  
(10-22-2014 12:06 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  This is three years old but still pretty decent.

http://texanmarktailgate.blogspot.com/20...guide.html

There is a lot of good information in there. Great write up!
04-cheers

Ditto. A lot of good info. 04-cheers Mark
10-22-2014 09:55 AM
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